Northampton struck three times in the second half of extra-time to avoid a shock defeat to First Division Orrell in the sixth round of the Powergen Cup.

Saints, beaten finalists in 2001, had been expected to win comfortably.

But they were losing 34-29 before Peter Jorgensen's last-ditch try deep in injury-time took the contest into extra-time.

As the game went to additional time, Ian Vass scored twice and Jorgensen completed a hat-trick to halt a stunning upset.

They must have been hoping to rest guys - which was probably being a bit arrogant Ross Reynolds Orrell coach

Flanker Nick Easter was the pick of the Orrell players, bagging a hat-trick before Simon Haughton's late try put his side within sight of an unlikely win.

Saints took the lead through James Brooks, but Orrell matched their fancied rivals, and Wade Kelly picked up a spilt Bruce Reihana ball for the home side's first try.

Easter started his scintillating scoring efforts to surge over from five metres but Orrell held the narrowest of leads - 13-12 - at half-time following an injury-time score from hooker Dan Richmond.

The first of Jorgensen's three tries seemed to do enough to steady Northampton's nerves after the break, which Reihana duly converted.

Reihana was called up to kick minutes later, this time to convert his own score and Orrell looked set for a second-half onslaught.

But the introduction of former Great Britain rugby league star Gary Connolly gave Orrell the required boost.

They deservedly moved into the lead with 14 minutes left on the clock.

In a stunning end to regulation time, Easter completed a hat-trick before Paul Grayson put Saints back ahead with a timely penalty.

Orrell were not finished and looked to have snatched the game when Andy Craig's 30-yard break paved the way for Haughton to score.

But a tap penalty with virtually the last move of the match allowed Jorgensen to run in for a match leveller.

Grayson had the chance to avoid extra-time but his conversion fell short.

With 20 minutes of added time, Northampton's additional fitness looked set to pay dividends.

But it was Orrell, through Ben Lewitt - sent clear by Craig - who first went ahead.

From there, though, their chances started to run out, Saints full-back Ian Vass scoring twice and Jorgensen completing his hat-trick for the win.

Orrell: Barrow, R. Welding, Craig, Kelly, Haughton, Jones, So'oialo, Livesey, Howe, Bearrato, Moore, Bentley, Easter, Hickey, Lewitt.
Replacements: Davies, Connolly, Newton, Giles, O'Keefe, Barton, Lloyd.

Northampton: Reihana, Sleightholme, Jorgensen, Tucker, Ripol, Brooks, Vass, Morris, Richmond, Budgen, Phillips, Lord, Blowers, Soden, Fox.
Replacements: Cohen, Grayson, Thompson, Smith, Williams, Hunter, Howard.

Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones (Wales)